Grades
- A detailed explanation of grades can often create confusion rather
than alleviate it. So we will keep this as simple as possible
whilst still providing the info needed by those familiar with grades and analysis charts. Epsom Salt is usually graded
as technical, fertilizer, feed, cosmetic/bath or pharmaceutical. Technical and fertilizer are fairly identical and are
not recommended for bath, cosmetic or pharmaceutical as they do not meet the necessary standards for such use.
Pharmaceutical is the highest of grades. As the name infers,
it is produced for pharmaceutical or medical use. To be used in such environments it must first satisfy a number of
stringent analytical tests that comply with either the British [BP] or United States [USP] pharmacopeia specifications as
per relevant monograph. These tests ensure adequate levels of Magnesium Sulphate [Epsom Salt] and levels [if any], of
heavy metals etc are so very low as to not affect our health. Should the salt comply with the pharmacopeia specs, it
must then satisfy the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration [TGA] or the equivalent American Food and Drug Administration
[FDA] standards also. If approved on both counts, then it can be labeled a true Pharmaceutical grade. Genuine
pharmaceutical grade is a small, specialist market and somewhat expensive. We don't always stock genuine pharmaceutical
grade, but it is available upon request.
Our Salt - We've focused on sourcing a premium
Cosmetic/Bath grade salt at an affordable price. To ensure our salt is a premium product we regularly analyze our salt
here in Australia using the same BP specifications as for pharmaceutical grade. However they are not TGA or FDA approved
for medical use - resulting in us being able to provide a premium salt at an affordable price. We have two salts available,
'Gold Label Meets BP' and 'Aussie Natural'. Our Gold Label is our premium imported salt which actually
complies with pharmaceutical specifications, but not registered with the TGA. Our Aussie Natural, the only Epsom Salt
produced here in Aus is also a quality salt, not quite complying with pharmaceutical specs, but a most excellent salt.
Both salts are an excellent choice for cosmetic, bath or spa, and because they are high quality are also more than suitable
for fertilizer or technical use. So, it's your choice....choose according to the name if you want to avoid the detail
or for more info please read on:
Does it really matter ?
Cheap, inferior salts can be laced with heavy metals. That is because they
are produced using inferior secondary chemicals. That is why they are
cheap!
If there are excessive heavy metals then we are at risk of
contaminating ourselves
or our produce by re-absorbing those heavy metals
back into our bodies. Yuk!
We also need to ensure we have a ready supply of magnesium and sulphates
as this is what Epsom Salt is. If too low then the Epsom Salt will not have
the desired effect. [Refer to the analysis table for a more detailed analysis.]
Our Gold Label Meets BP
are analyzed in accordance with the BP monograph. The monograph specifications
table is below. In accordance with industry practice we do not detail the actual measurements, but simply indicate their
compliance. They satisfy every BP test! - but not endorsed by the TGA. The allowable BP heavy metal level is 10ppm
{10 parts per million}. Our actual level is much lower and the magnesium and sulphates levels are at peak!
Since this is a premium grade salt, it is also suitable for technical and fertilizer
use.
Our Aussie
Natural is a natural salt produced here in Australia, in
fact the only Epsom Salt produced in Australia, from the aquifers of our own Murray Basin. Being a natural salt it has
a unique production method. Although not quite complying with BP specs, it is an excellent cosmetic/bath salt.
Since it is an Australian product, and helping our environment by combating inland salinity, BLANTs has formed
a strong bond with them and is the Australian distributor of their salt. To ensure constant quality we use our own independent
analytical technician who has approved them as excellent bath salts. Rigid 'quality control' measures maintain
their standard, yet some minor variants may occur and are to be accepted in a natural product. On of those variants
is a higher level in iron then Gold Label which can tend to colour the water yellow. The iron in this form is not trans-dermal,
and therefore, not absorbed into the skin as an iron supplement.
The colour of the crystals may vary from off white to glistening white.
Both these colour variants are purely cosmetic and have no bearing on the salt quality whatsoever.
Since this is a quality salt
it is also suitable for technical and fertilizer use.
Pharmaceutical Grades are USP or BP,
which are the United States and the British pharmaceutical grades. These are basically the highest of grades with stringent
specifications. Due to the need to meet these specifications they are more expensive, but obviously suited to any application.
The salts need to pass in all of a variety of tests and even if slightly out in any of the tests they cannot be labeled USP
or BP. Strictly speaking, they should not be labeled as USP or BP unless endorsed by the FDA or TGA. That is why
our premium salts that meet BP are labeled as 'Meets BP specs' as opposed to BP.
Agricultural, Horticultural or Garden Grades are usually somewhat cheaper than Bath or Pharmaceutical as they have lower specifications
standards to meet. They should not be used in the bath. For small orders such as home use, we recommend our bath
grade as an economical choice for the garden. For larger bulk orders for hydroponic, horticultural or agricultural use,
we can supply imported salts at a very competitive price.
Which salt is right for me ?
We have been selling our Aussie Natural for many years now. As per info above and table below, under analysis it does
not quite comply with the BP specifications but is still an excellent salt, but may come with colour variants due to its production
method. If you really prefer an Aussie product that is natural and are not fussed re possible colour variants, then
this may be your choice.
Our Gold
Label is our newer imported salt. It is produced as the great majority of Epsom Salt is, in a controlled manufacturing
site using a combination of magnesium and sulphur [magnesium sulphate]. A primary reason for importing Gold Label was
feedback we were receiving from customers regarding the colour variants in Aussie Natural. Since we were to add a new
Epsom Salt to our products we ensured it would be a premium grade in that it complied with BP specifications and no colour
variants.
Some folk simply want the
assurance of the highest grade possible and therefore BP or USP would be the choice. Due to very limited demand we do
not always stock these and therefore may not be available. Please enquire.
If for Horticultural use, then any of the above will be more than adequate.
ANALYSIS as per BP Specifications
|
BP Specifications
|
Gold Label Meets BP
|
Aussie Natural
|
|
Assay MgSo47H20
|
99 - 100.5 %
|
Assay MgSo47H20
|
99 - 100.5 %
|
Assay MgSo47H20
|
89 - 93 %
|
|
Chlorides
|
300ppm max
|
Chlorides
|
300ppm max
|
Chlorides
|
300ppm max
|
|
Arsenic
|
2ppm max
|
Arsenic
|
2ppm max
|
Arsenic
|
2ppm max
|
|
Iron
|
20ppm max
|
Iron
|
20ppm max
|
Iron
|
29ppm approx
|
|
Heavy metals
|
10ppm max
|
Heavy metals
|
10ppm max
|
Heavy metals
|
10ppm max
|
|
Loss on drying
|
48.0 - 52.0 %
|
Loss on drying
|
48.0 - 52.0 %
|
Loss on drying
|
44 % approx
|
See 'Products & Prices'
To Order
